Surgical mask

ABSTRACT

A surgical facemask includes a textile element configured to cover a mouth and nose region of a user, and an adhesive element applied to a perimeter of the textile element and configured to secure the textile element to a face of the user. Application of the surgical facemask using the adhesive element seals the mouth and nose region of the user from an exterior region such that particulate cannot traverse between the mouth and nose region and the exterior region without permeating the textile element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/994,664 filed Mar. 25, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of personal protective equipment (PPE).

BACKGROUND

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn by professionals and laypeople for a variety of purposes, including health-related purposes. Surgical masks for reducing the transmission of airborne pathogens are one example of PPE.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a surgical facemask including a textile element configured to cover a mouth and nose region of a user, and an adhesive element applied to a perimeter of the textile element and configured to secure the textile element to a face of the user, and wherein application of the surgical facemask using the adhesive element seals the mouth and nose region of the user from an exterior region such that particulate cannot traverse between the mouth and nose region and the exterior region without permeating the textile element.

In some embodiments, the surgical facemask does not include earloops. In some embodiments, the adhesive element is a glue that bonds the textile element to skin. In some embodiments, the textile element includes a first non-woven layer, a second filter layer, and a third non-woven layer. In some embodiments, the textile element facilitates transmission of respiratory gases between the mouth and nose region and the exterior region.

This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a traditional non-sealed surgical mask, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sealed surgical mask having adhesive elements, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating layers of the sealed surgical mask of FIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a sealed surgical mask for reducing the transmission of airborne pathogens is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the sealed surgical mask of the present disclosure is usable in medical environments to reduce the transmission of iatrogenic and/or nosocomial infections. Additionally or alternatively, the sealed surgical mask of the present disclosure is usable in non-medical environments (e.g., by individuals in public spaces, etc.) to reduce the transmission of infectious disease (e.g., airborne bacteria/viruses, etc.). In various embodiments, the sealed surgical mask of the present disclosure provides many advantages over conventional personal protective equipment (PPE).

Some surgical masks create a loose-fitting physical barrier between the mouth and nose of a user and potential contaminants, thereby preventing large-particle droplets from contacting the user's mouth and nose. However, such surgical masks do not provide complete protection from potential contaminants because of the loose fit between the surface of the surgical mask and the users face. Therefore, such surgical masks may not effectively prevent the respiration of contaminants. For example, an individual using a loose surgical mask may inhale (e.g., via an opening between the conventional surgical mask and the individual's face) infectious particulate matter suspended in the air from a nearby cough.

In contrast, the sealed surgical mask of the present disclosure is configured to seal to a user's face, thereby preventing respiration of potential contaminants. In various embodiments, the sealed surgical mask of the present disclosure includes an adhesive element around a perimeter of the mask to facilitate bonding a surface of the mask to a user's face, thereby creating a seal between a mouth and nose region and an exterior region. Thus, the surgical mask of the present disclosure creates a protective environment isolated from the outside.

Furthermore, conventional surgical masks utilize “earloops” (e.g., elastic bands that fit behind the ear) to facilitate application of the mask to a user's face. However, earloops promote the spread of potential contaminants during use. Specifically, a user using a conventional surgical mask may transfer contaminants to their ears (e.g., from their hands, etc.) during application of the surgical mask, thereby promoting the spread of infection. However, the sealed surgical mask of the present disclosure may be applied to a user's face without use of earloops. For example, the sealed surgical mask may be applied to a user's face with adhesive elements, thereby preventing transfer of potential contaminants to the user's ears. Additionally, the sealed surgical mask disclosed herein may present a cheaper alternative to conventional respirators (e.g., a N95 Respirator, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a traditional non-sealed surgical mask, shown as non-sealed mask 100 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, non-sealed mask 100 is usable in healthcare environments (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, etc.). In various embodiments, non-sealed mask 100 forms a loose-fitting barrier between a user's face and a surface of non-sealed mask 100. Non-sealed mask 100 is shown to include protective surface 110 and earloops 120. Protective surface 110 may cover a mouth and/or noise region of a user thereby preventing large-particle droplets from contacting the user's mouth and nose. In various embodiments, protective surface 110 is a textile material. Earloops 120 may be coupled to protective surface 110 and facilitate application of protective surface 110 to a facial region of a user. In various embodiments, during use a user positions earloops 120 behind his/her ears to secure non-sealed mask 110. In some embodiments, user application of non-sealed mask 100 using earloops 120 promotes the spread of pathogens to a user's ears.

Protective surface 110 may include folds 112 and shape elements 114 and 116. Folds 112 may facilitate loosely forming protective surface 110 to a user's face. For example, folds 112 may facilitate deformation of protective surface 110 to enable non-sealed mask 110 to be worn by a user with a large nose. Shape elements 114 and 116 may facilitate adjusting a shape of protective surface 110. In various embodiments, shape elements 114 include semi-rigid elements. For example, shape elements 114 may include a malleable metallic strip that a user may manipulate to adjust a shape of protective surface 110. In some embodiments, shape elements 114 may facilitate creating a partial seal between a top portion of protective surface 110 and a user's face (e.g., a partial seal along a nasal bridge of a user, etc.). However, non-sealed mask 100 may be substantially loose-fitting (e.g., provide an incomplete seal between a perimeter of protective surface 110 and a user's face), thereby facilitating respiration of contaminants (e.g., pathogens, etc.). Respiration of contaminants is undesirable for health and safety reasons, as would be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, in order to wear the non-sealed mask 110 as directed, training in proper procedures is needed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a front view of a sealed surgical mask, shown as sealed mask 200 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, sealed mask 200 prevents mouth and nose contact with large-particle droplets and respiration of contaminants (e.g., aerosolized bacteria, etc.). In various embodiments, sealed mask 200 couples to a user's face to seal a mouth and nose region of the user from an exterior region such that particles (e.g., contaminants, etc.) may not pass between the mouth and nose region and the exterior region without going through a filtering layer. Sealed mask 200 is usable in healthcare environments (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, etc.). As appreciated from FIG. 2, the sealed mask 200 is devoid of earloops.

Additionally or alternatively, sealed mask 200 may be used in non-healthcare environments (e.g., by individuals in public spaces, etc.). For example, individuals wishing for a cheaper alternative to conventional respiratory protection (e.g., a N95 Respirator, etc.) may use sealed mask 200. In various embodiments, sealed mask 200 includes a top 202 and a bottom 204. In various embodiments, during use top 202 may be positioned substantially over a user's nose (e.g., resting upon the nasal bridge, etc.). In various embodiments, during use bottom 204 may be positioned substantially under a user's chin (e.g., resting upon an upper neck region, etc.). Sealed mask 200 includes front side 206 and back side 208.

Sealed mask 200 is shown to include protective element 210. Protective element 210 is configured to create a physical barrier between a mouth and nose region of a user and an external region. Protective element 210 may be gas permeable to facilitate user breathing. In various embodiments, protective element 210 is selectively permeable to facilitate filtering respiratory air. For example, protective element 210 may facilitate respiratory gasses (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.) to pass through protective element 210 but may prevent (e.g., filter, etc.) various contaminants (e.g., germs, bacteria, viruses, harmful particulate matter, etc.) from passing through protective element 210.

In various embodiments, sealed mask 200 has a shape and size to facilitate covering a mouth and nose region of a user. However, it should be understood that sealed mask 200 may have many shapes and/or sizes that facilitate covering a mouth and nose region of a user (e.g., to accommodate all shapes and sizes of faces) and that all such embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, protective element 210 is or includes a textile material. For example, protective element 210 may be made of a cotton material. As another example, protective element 210 may be made of a paper material. In various embodiments, protective element 210 includes multiple materials. For example, protective element 210 may include a first layer made of a non-woven fabric, a second layer made of a melt-blown material, and a third layer made of a non-woven fabric. The material composition of sealed mask 200 is discussed in detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

Protective element 210 is shown to include shape element 212, vents 214, and adhesive elements 216 and 218. Shape element 212 may facilitate forming protective element 210 to a user's face. For example, shape elements 212 may include pleats and/or folds that allow a user to expand protective element 210 such that is covers a mouth and nose region. Vents 214 may facilitate gas permeation through protective element 210. In various embodiments, vents 214 are a circular portion of mesh or gas-permeable fabric. As shown in FIG. 2, vents 214 are positioned substantially toward top 202 of sealed mask 200. Additionally or alternatively, vents 214 may be positioned elsewhere on protective element 210. For example, vents 214 may be positioned around a perimeter of protective element 210 (e.g., inside of adhesive elements 216 and 218, etc.). In various embodiments, vents 214 have a larger diameter than shown in FIG. 2. In various embodiments, there are a different number of vents 214 than shown in FIG. 2. For example, a first sealed mask 200 may include two-hundred vents 214 positioned substantially in a center of protective element 210 and a second sealed mask 200 may include five-hundred vents 214 positioned around a perimeter of protective element 210.

Adhesive elements 216 and 218 are configured to facilitate application of sealed mask 200 to a user's face (e.g., bonding a surface of sealed mask 200 to the user's face, etc.). In various embodiments, adhesive elements 216 and 218 are located around a partial perimeter of protective element 210 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). Additionally or alternatively, adhesive elements 216 and 218 may be positioned elsewhere on protective element 210. For example, adhesive elements 216 and 218 may be located around a complete perimeter of protective element 210 (e.g., such that adhesive element 216 contacts adhesive element 218 and forms an enclosed shape, etc.). As a further example, adhesive elements 216 and 218 may be constituted as dashed lines around a perimeter of protective element 210. Moreover, it should be understood that layouts of adhesive elements 216 and 218 not explicitly described herein are within the scope of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, adhesive elements 216 form a complete seal between a mouth and nose region of a user and an exterior region. For example, adhesive elements 216 may bond a circumferential back surface of sealed mask 200 to a user's face, thereby preventing aerosols from traveling between the mouth and nose region of the user and an exterior region. Adhesive elements 216 and 218 may include an adhesive applied to back side 208 of protective element 210. For example, adhesive element 216 may be a glue and adhesive element 216 may be a tape to promote mechanical fastening or coupling of a portion of back side 208 to skin. In some embodiments, the adhesive is water-resistant. For example, the adhesive may remain in position even when a user sweats. In various embodiments, the adhesive binds protective element 210 temporarily to skin without leaving a sticky residue. In some embodiments, the adhesive has coloration (e.g., to facilitate a user identifying adhesive elements 216). Additionally or alternatively, the adhesive may be clear. In various embodiments, the adhesive is non-toxic. In some embodiments, adhesive elements 216 are covered with an adhesive backing.

In some embodiments, sealed mask 200 optionally includes earloops (e.g., to facilitate application to user's with a full-face beard, etc.). In some embodiments, sealed mask 200 includes a chemical cartridge and/or canister to facilitate air filtering.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view illustrating layers 300 of protective element 210 are shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, protective element 210 includes first layer 302, second layer 304, and third layer 306. Additionally or alternatively, protective element 210 may include a different number and or arrangement of layers 300 than described herein. For example, sealed mask 200 may include seven layers 300. In various embodiments, first layer 302 is a non-woven layer. For example, first layer 302 may be made of a cloth-like filter material. Second layer 304 may be a filter material. For example, second layer 304 may be a melt-blown material, a spunbonded material, a spunlaid material, a drylaid material, a wetlaid material, and/or the like. Third layer 306 may be a non-woven layer. In various embodiments, sealed mask 200 includes various additives. For example, sealed mask 200 may include an antiseptic and/or antibacterial inserted between layers 300. For example, sealed mask 200 may include activated carbon, zinc, silver, and/or the like layered between first layer 302 and second layer 304 to facilitate filtering of respiratory air. In some embodiments, the additives are embedded within layers 300. For example, second layer 304 may be a melt-blown material with embedded activated carbon. In various embodiments, layers 300 have a different arrangement and/or composition than described herein. For example, layers 300 may include two woven layers, two filter layers, and two non-woven layers.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of sealed mask 200 and the components thereof as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein. 

1. A surgical facemask, comprising: a textile element configured to cover a mouth and nose region of a user; and an adhesive element applied to a perimeter of the textile element and configured to secure the textile element to a face of the user; and wherein application of the surgical facemask using the adhesive element seals the mouth and nose region of the user from an exterior region such that particulate cannot traverse between the mouth and nose region and the exterior region without permeating the textile element.
 2. The surgical facemask of claim 1, wherein the surgical facemask does not include earloops.
 3. The surgical facemask of claim 1, wherein the adhesive element is a glue that bonds the textile element to skin.
 4. The surgical facemask of claim 1, wherein the textile element includes a first non-woven layer, a second filter layer, and a third non-woven layer.
 5. The surgical facemask of claim 1, wherein the textile element facilitates transmission of respiratory gases between the mouth and nose region and the exterior region. 